Taj Gibson’s NBA run is over.
The former Charlotte Hornets big man announced his retirement after 17 seasons in the league, closing out a career that stretched from Chicago to Charlotte and a handful of stops in between. Gibson spent just one year with the Hornets, but that final season was part of the full arc he reflected on in a social media post.
“Today is a very emotional day for me. After 17 seasons in the NBA, I can honestly say I gave this game everything I had.
Basketball gave me the opportunity to live a dream. As a kid from Brooklyn, NY, I was lucky to get a chance to display my talent on the biggest stage.
From Fort Greene Projects to USC, to the Chicago Bulls , and every team and city that came after, I’m grateful for every moment, every teammate, every coach, and every person who believed in me. I wanted to be the guy my teammates could count on someone who brought toughness, energy, leadership, and heart every time I stepped on the court.
“To my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my agent, the NBA , NBPA and the fans, thank you. You were all a part of this journey.
But this isn’t goodbye to Basketball. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.
After 31 years of basketball, I can walk away with no regrets, knowing I left everything on the floor. God has truly blessed me.
Thank you Basketball ❤️🩹,” Gibson wrote.
Gibson’s lone season in Charlotte came in 2024-25, when he appeared in 37 games and made 11 starts. He finished that stint averaging 2.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists for the Hornets before moving on to the Memphis Grizzlies for what became his final season.
His career began with a first-round selection by the Chicago Bulls in the 2009 NBA Draft, and Chicago remained home until 2017, when he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gibson was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2010 with the Bulls.
From there, he added stops with the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks in two different stints, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards. He never made an All-Star team, but he built a reputation as a dependable glue guy, especially during his prime.
Over 1,012 career games, Gibson averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists while shooting 51.7 percent from the field.
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